Krushin’ It For Katie

Katie is a beautiful friend, sister, daughter, aunt, granddaughter and cousin who is passionate about educating students with special needs, as well as a being a loving mother to her 9-year-old daughter, Ari.

Only a few short months ago, Katie's life was suddenly put on hold when she was performing a self exam and found a lump on her breast.

A biopsy revealed a diagnosis of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS).

The next year brings many unknowns for Katie, as her chemotherapy treatments are scheduled to begin on July 19.

Katie has not been able to work since June 3rd (the day before her surgery.) She is unsure when she will be able to go back to work, as it all depends on how her chemotherapy treatments go and how she is feeling. Traveling to doctor's appointments, copays, prescriptions, medical expenses and day-to-day costs of life can add up and put a strain on her health and healing.

Her family and friends created this page to support Katie and to help ease the financial burden of medical expenses and to share updates on her recovery.

Please consider helping Katie by donating in any way you can, any amount big or small will make an impact. 

Through her diagnosis, surgery and upcoming treatment, Katie has inspired all that know and love her with her positive attitude and fighting spirit. Now it’s our turn to rally behind her and help her fight this fight. Pink is stronger than you think!!

Here is Katie's powerful story in her own words:

My name is Katie Masek and I am 32 years old. My journey began on April 12th, 2019 when I found a small lump in my left breast. I found my lump while doing a self-examination on myself. I immediately called my primary doctor to be seen as soon as possible. I was graciously welcomed into the mammogram club followed by an ultrasound. Because of the suspicious look of the lump on the films, I was then referred for a biopsy. On May 2nd, my biopsy revealed that I in fact had Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS). I was lucky enough to have caught it so early being that it was only at Stage 0 and hadn’t reached any of my breast tissue yet, but I had tested positive for HER2+. Because I tested positive for that hormone meant that I would need chemotherapy. Yes, hearing that I needed chemotherapy and that I most definitely was going to lose my hair isn’t something that I wanted to hear, but the silver lining in all of this was that I was going to be okay.

There was a treatment for me and I was going to be okay.

I elected to have a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on June 4th, 2019. The tumor was removed, and the surgery went great. Since my surgery, knowing that I am going to start chemotherapy once I am healed, I elected to also freeze my eggs. As if my regular doctor appointments weren’t enough, I was now going through fertility treatments to save my eggs for the future. Fertility treatments went as planned and I was able to freeze 18 eggs, which was great. Now, I just sit and wait to start my chemotherapy treatment.

When you find out that you have cancer, your whole world immediately stops. You are at the mercy of doctors, insurance, and the game of having no other option but to be patient. That self-examination had saved my life. If I hadn’t even checked myself, who knows how much larger the tumor could have gotten or how fast this horrible disease could have progressed.

I can’t imagine going through this process without the amazing support I have received from my family and friends. Through this journey I really have learned to stop and smell the roses once in a while, don’t take things for granted, always remain positive, and appreciate all that I have in life.

I have my treatment planned, I know I’m going to be okay, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This is just another bump in the road, but I am going to be okay.

** All donations are going directly to Katie & her daughter Arianna. Funds will be withdrawn to her beneficiary (mother) Janet Masek!!